The Adventures of C and J: Journey to Camiguin Island

CDO's Motorella

Early this year, I booked a round trip ticket bound for Cagayan de Oro City. But the official destination is the small island north of Misamis Oriental: Camiguin Island. Along with my friend Clarise Prat (who came up with this idea), we packed our bags and headed to Camiguin.

I don't feel like writing much info on Camiguin Island since there's a lot that you can find on the internet. Clarise took the initiative of finding our reservations (for CDO and Camiguin) and I did a bit of research on our trip destination. For me, it would be best to know where we would be going, what transportation to take and the whole enchalada.

Initially, I really thought that this trip won't push through. Early this month, Clarise and I were both empty handed. Luckily, we found the means to fund this journey.

There are a lot of ways to get to Camiguin: by air, by land or by water. Since we chose to travel quickly (by plane from Davao City), we booked a flight bound for Cagayan. Then to get to Camiguin from Cagayan de Oro, one has to take a bus en route to Misamis Oriental then an hour boat ride to Benoni, Camiguin.

I was thinking of touring Cagayan de Oro City on our first day but unfortunately, flight delays ruined our initial plans. We were stuck at the airport for over 7 hours due to service issues. Our flight was on Air Phil Express and I believe that the crew were giving false expectations to stranded passengers. By past 6 in the evening, our plane finally arrived and the flight bound for Cagayan de Oro was really shaky. If I counted correctly, I said 3 Hail Marys and 5 Our Father (the Lord's Prayer).

Airport in CDO is small (which reminded me a lot of the airport in Zamboanga City). We took our luggage and got a cab (which was not a very pleasant experience).

For the overnight stay in Cagayan, Clarise booked us at the Budgetel Hotel. Room was very basic and the staff were accomodating. That night, we visited CDO's most talked about night market which they call DVsoria. Mostly, items on sale were UKs (ukay-ukay) and street food. I bought myself a summer hat that cost me a hundred bucks (tried to bargain for a lower price but the woman didn't give in).

The Budgetel Hotel

After touring DVsoria, we went to Yuri's Cafe for a few drinks. Place was quite packed since it was Saturday. Later on, Clarise's friend gave us a short tour around the city, but I was too sleepy to pay attention. By past 12 midnight, we were back at the hotel and I slept like a baby.

That ends my first day on tour. Story to continue tomorrow.

Lost Kids in Sugbu -- Davao Version

After a year and a half, my dear friend Carol came home. Finally, she decided to take some time off of work and see her family and their new house here in the city of Durian and Dutertes. She's been working since we graduated from college and still with the same company who hired her fresh from college.

I brought a digicam with me that afternoon and as I look at the pictures, I realized that there's only a few of them. So let me share with you a made-up story which will synchronize with the photos taken mostly by Carol herself.

Where is this, you ask? In Trelli's (I hope I got the spelling right.)

Maimi: I'm so hungry, let's order na quick!

Me: Okay, go! Let me check my wallet if I have cash ha.

Me: Oh no! Wala akong cash! And they don't take debit!!! We're gonna starve to death!
Maimi: Huhu, hungry pa naman tayo. Patay gutom mode.

Carol: Girls, remember I'm here pa. Order all you want!

Okay, we did not order everything on the menu. But I have to admit, I was famished that afternoon. Too bad, I couldn't spend the rest of the afternoon with Mae and Carol since I have to get back to work. Yet it was nice to finally sit and catch-up with these two gals who were there behind my back (and still are) despite the distance and the new acquaintances in between.



XoXo